Max Verstappen secured his first GT3 win at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, delivering a near-perfect performance alongside teammate Chris Lulham. Driving the Red Bull-liveried Ferrari, the duo controlled the 28-lap race and ultimately claimed the top spot after four hours of intense competition.
Dominant Start Propels Verstappen to Early Race Lead
Starting from third position, Verstappen immediately gained ground as he overtook the front-row starters before reaching the first corner. Behind him, a collision unfolded between the No. 917 Porsche and the pole-sitting Aston Martin, but Verstappen narrowly avoided involvement and pressed on without interruption. As the race progressed, he steadily increased his lead, extending it from just over 1.4 seconds to more than 23 seconds by the time of his first pit stop seven laps in.
Team Strategy and Challenges During the Race
Verstappen completed the majority of the race with a second stint lasting slightly over an hour before handing over the No. 31 Ferrari to Chris Lulham. The British driver worked to maintain the substantial advantage Verstappen had built. However, the team faced challenges when Code 60 flags limited the competitors’ speed to 60 km/h near the incident zone, allowing rival Ford entries to close the gap.
Despite these setbacks, Lulham held firm on the lead and crossed the finish line in first place. Their overall victory margin was 24.496 seconds over the nearest challengers, marking a significant accomplishment for the Red Bull Ferrari team.
Verstappen’s Ambition to Compete in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring
Having recently earned his DMSB Grade A permit to race faster cars at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, Verstappen revealed his ultimate goal of participating in the prestigious 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race. Speaking to the media, he explained his passion for racing beyond Formula 1:
“At the end of the day, any kind of lap that you drive around there in any kind of car is always fun. When you try to push it a bit, you see a lot what’s happening around you. The atmosphere is really good, a lot of passionate endurance fans are always there anyway. And yeah, it’s kind of my hobby as well racing in other kind of motorsport than just F1. Of course, my dream is eventually to do the 24 Hour [of Nurburgring] race, so I knew that license needed to come. So it was the perfect opportunity to do so.”
– Max Verstappen, Racing Driver
The 2026 edition of the 24 Hours of Nurburgring is scheduled for May 14-17, conveniently fitting between the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix. This timing gives Verstappen a clear pathway to possibly join the endurance event field, advancing his ambitions in motorsport beyond his Formula 1 career.
Significance and Future Prospects for Verstappen
This victory at the Nurburgring Nordschleife not only marks Verstappen’s successful entry into GT3 racing but also highlights his growing versatility as a driver. His ability to manage the demanding Nordschleife circuit while collaborating effectively with teammate Lulham sets the stage for future endurance racing endeavors. The win demonstrates his passion and determination, signaling that Verstappen is eager to broaden his racing resume and engage deeper with motorsport fans around the world.
Looking ahead, fans and observers will watch closely to see if Verstappen will pursue the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in 2026, which remains a key ambition. His continued dedication to endurance racing could inspire other Formula 1 drivers to explore similar challenges, further enriching the crossover appeal between racing disciplines.
